Written answers

Wednesday, 20 April 2016

Department of Education and Skills

School Staff

Photo of Jim DalyJim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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446. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills why there is only one category (details supplied) for a school to be considered for an administrative principal on reduced pupil numbers. [7789/16]

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The criteria for the appointment of Administrative Principal and Administrative Deputy Principal posts are based on pupil numbers. Enrolment thresholds for the 2016/2017 school year are set out in Appendix B of Circular 0007/2016, which is available on my Department's website.

My Department supports schools with more than one autism class by providing for the appointment of an Administrative Principal based on a lower enrolment than schools with no autism classes.

There are no plans to deviate from these arrangements for schools that do not meet the criteria set out in Circular 0007/2016.

I am aware of the workload and the pressures on Principal teachers. In this regard, my Department has provided release days for teaching principals to assist them in fulfilling their Principal duties. Circular 25/02 which is available on my Department's website outlines the number of days that teaching principals may take as release time in a school year.

Under these arrangements my Department pays for a substitute teacher to be employed by a school to facilitate administrative functions to be undertaken by the teaching principal. Under the current arrangements the number of days that principal teachers may take as release time in each school year ranges between 14 and 22 days depending on the size of the school.

I have recently received the NCSE's policy advice on supporting students with ASD. My officials will consider and report to me on any recommendations in the report which relate to the issues raised by the Deputy.

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